I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Ogata shrugged:

"That's considered slow. If it weren't for the cold weather, we would have set off at the end of last year."

He paused here, then changed the subject:

"However, we changed our minds at the last minute."

"To be honest, my wife and I are both very concerned about the outcome of this match."

"If we don't know the final outcome of this unprecedented 'North-South conflict' as soon as possible, my wife and I won't be able to sleep well for a long time."

"Therefore, my wife and I will stay in Osaka for the time being until you and the 'Southern Court' are defeated."

Atachi chuckled softly a few times, then abruptly interrupted:

"We'll have to trouble Xiaolin to help us prepare a temporary place to stay."

Qingdeng chuckled to himself:

"You're planning to stay in Osaka for a while? That's wonderful. With you here, Osaka is undoubtedly the safest place."

All non-combat personnel at the Tachibana residence were relocated to Osaka—Aoto succinctly stated this.

Ogata smiled after hearing this:

“Even without my wife and me, the defenses of the Gourd House are strong enough.”

At that moment, Atachi suddenly extended her right fist toward Aoto.

"Tachibana-kun, I really believe in you! You'll definitely win!"

After saying that, she lightly tapped Qingdeng's left shoulder with her right fist.

Immediately afterwards, Ogata also extended a fist—his left fist—and lightly tapped Aoto's right shoulder.

"Tachibana-kun, I'm really looking forward to your performance."

Looking at the two fists resting on his shoulders, Qing Deng raised a confident smile.

“I will win. Mr. Old Mu, with your help, I will win faster and easier.”

After he finished speaking, he deliberately gave the other person a meaningful look.

If the invincible "Eternal Sword Saint" were willing to lend him a hand... then Qing Deng felt that this war could end much sooner.

Although Ogata's combat strength was far from being able to "repel ten thousand troops with a single strike," having him serve as an assassin and guerrilla fighter, occasionally launching surprise attacks on the "Southern Army's" camp, was enough to plunge the "Southern Army's" soldiers into an endless nightmare!

Ogata smiled and joked:

"Don't make an old man like me, who has long since retired from worldly affairs, do such hard work."

Qingdeng was neither disappointed nor regretful upon receiving such a reply—he had long expected the other party to say that.

Ogata had previously stated that he had been living a monotonous life of "repeatedly cutting people" for decades, and he was tired and weary of it. Unless it was an event related to "immortality", he did not want to draw his sword again.

Therefore, Aoto never expected Ogata's assistance from the very beginning.

Qing Deng thought the topic was over.

However, after a brief pause, Ogata smiled faintly and continued speaking unhurriedly:

“Ju-kun, you must have suffered a lot and endured a lot of hardship along the way.”

"Tens of thousands of sword swings, countless brushes with death, have shaped you into who you are today."

"Once an unknown figure, now a world-renowned swordsman, only one step away from the title of 'Sword Saint'."

"The upcoming bloody battle may be the largest and most significant battle of your life."

"Use the sword at your waist as a pen, and add a bold and colorful stroke to your story."

After saying that, Ogata opened his fist, which was on Aoto's right shoulder, and gently gripped his shoulder.

His body heat traveled from his palm to Qingdeng's shoulder, and then spread throughout his entire body.

For no apparent reason, Qing Deng suddenly felt an unnamed "force" surging through his body.

When he came to his senses, he was already meeting Ogata's gaze, nodding firmly with a resolute expression:

"Ok!"

*******

*******

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P.S.: Toba Fushimi—it's the perfect place for this battleground! (Leopard.jpg)

Chapter 1139 The Decisive Battleground: [Toba Fushimi]! The Southern Army is at the city gates! [4200]

May 4, 1866 (the second year of the Meiji era)

Toba, the mountain of autumn——

Qingdeng stood atop Autumn Mountain, holding the Vairocana pendant at his waist, gazing down at the surrounding area from his elevated position.

Hijikata Toshizo waited quietly beside him, shoulder to shoulder.

Toba Kaido—abbreviated as "Toba"—is a north-south avenue adjacent to the Kamo River, connecting Kyoto and Osaka.

Fushimi is located 3 kilometers east of Toba.

Fushimi is one of the most important military strongholds in the Kyoto region... or perhaps not even one of them!

Several major roads, including Fushimi-kyo, Yamazaki-kyo, and Takeda-kyo, converge in Fushimi.

Whether attacking Kyoto or Otsu, Fushimi is an unavoidable route!

In other words, as long as Fushimi is defended, the capital region can be defended! As long as Fushimi exists, the capital region exists!

Regarding how to defeat the "Southern Court," Aoto had already held countless rounds of discussions with his advisors, including Hijikata Toshizo and Yamanami Keisuke.

As I said before—time is on the side of the "Northern Dynasty".

The Southern Dynasty's war potential is far less than that of the Northern Dynasty, so it will inevitably launch the first attack.

In modern military terms, the Southern Dynasty's offensive was an external operation, while the Northern Dynasty's counterattack was an internal operation.

The former faces logistical challenges several times greater than the latter.

The Southern Dynasties must determine a winner in the shortest possible time.

If the process drags on, the immense logistical pressure will inevitably cause Saigo Kinosuke and the others immense suffering.

In contrast, the Northern Dynasty was basically fighting on its own doorstep, and as long as nothing went wrong, it was unlikely to be dragged down.

In conclusion, Qingdeng's proposed strategy is very simple: defend first, then attack.

The first wave of attacks by the Southern Dynasty was definitely the most ferocious.

Hold them off their attack firmly, and once their morale is broken, switch from defense to offense!

In short, it's still the same battle strategy that Qingdeng is most proficient in.

Although it's nothing new, it's very useful!

His proposed strategy received unanimous approval from Hijikata Toshizo, Yamanami Keisuke, and others, and even gained the approval of French officers led by Brunet.

Based on this strategy, before launching the "Nioh Martial Arts Tournament", Cheong Dang frequently visited various parts of the Gyeonggi region to find the most suitable defense zone.

After a thorough examination of the terrain around the capital, he finally decided to set the decisive battleground at Toba-Fushimi!

The north-south structure of Toba Street was practically a "chosen defense line" against the "Southern Army".

Unless the soldiers of the "Southern Army" all grew wings, they would surely run headlong into Toba Street when they marched toward the capital!

Moreover, Toba Street also boasts an excellent geographical advantage.

Toba Street is bordered by the Kamo River to the west.

In other words, if the Southern Army wants to attack the Toba Road, it must find a way to get rid of the Kamo River's obstruction.

If you want to cross the Kamo River, you can only use the bridges, mainly the "Koji Bridge".

As long as these bridges are held, the "Southern Army" will be unable to advance or retreat.

In this way, every single one of the "Southern Army" that comes will die!

As for Fushimi, it goes without saying that it is a vital strategic location concerning the survival of the capital region, and it must be heavily fortified and defended.

In this way, Aoto set up two lines of defense at Toba-Fushimi.

The first line of defense is naturally Toba Street.

The second line of defense was Fushimi.

The newly formed group was divided into two parts: one part was deployed along the Toba Street, while the other part served as the general reserve force, setting up defenses in Fushimi.

The person in charge of leading the "Toba Defense Line" was none other than Hijikata Toshizo.

Three days ago, Hijikata Toshi entered the "Toba Defense Line" and set up his main camp at a shrine called "Jonan-gu" east of Toba Street.

Qing Deng himself was stationed at Fushimi.

Aoto had seen the surrounding terrain of Toba and Fushimi thousands of times; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he knew it by heart.

Remembering the location of every tree... that might be a bit of an exaggeration.

But remembering the exact location of every hilltop and every grove of trees is beyond doubt!

Even with his eyes closed, all the aforementioned details could clearly appear in his mind.

Even so, he still felt like he couldn't calm down.

When he came to inspect the "Toba Defense Line" today, he couldn't help but climb the top of Mount Aki—Mount Aki is a small hill located on the east side of Toba Street—to carefully observe the terrain around Toba once again.

And so, this scene unfolded.

Qingdeng looked around silently.

Hijikata Toshizo also remained silent, keeping company in quiet solitude.

After a long while, Qing Deng suddenly spoke, softly saying to Hijikata Toshizo: